Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-03-10

ana 0aSte TO be r1cn, or effort TO ward OH
the hand of poverty the minds of men
are SO occupied with business that there
is scarcely time or place for religious
thought and Bible Study. Under such
circumstances the claims of religion are
easily overlooked. Oh! that our busy
men could see that there is no worldly
attainment that promises such rich
returns as the service of God. If they
would only give Christ the first place in
their hearts and govern their lives by
his teachings, they would be lifted to a
nobler and happier plane of living, bus
mess would be less a toll and grind,
higher aspirations would occupy their
thoughts, and business would prosper
better, for we have the promise of cur
Savior that Goodness is profitable for
the life that now is, as well as that
which is to come"
End. The call is to men because they
especially need religion to guard them
from the temptations of the world.
When appealed to on the subject of the
Christian life they often answer: 1t is
no use, | could not live a Christian life
in my business if L should try. Some
railroad men say, "my time is not my
own. | am exposed to all sorts of
temptations. Sometimes I have to work
on the Sabbath My friends, you have
a most responsible position. not only
the property, but the lives of others are
in your keeping. If your difficulties are
SO great you need Christ the more to
help you to keep clear brain and a
steady hand. Some of our best Christ
aims are railroad men. Some of the
best work of the Y. NJ. G. A. has been
done among railroad men. You great
ly mistake when you excuse yourself on
account of your business.
Some merchants say. there is so much
competition in business. so many tricks
of trade. that could not be Christian
if [ should try. Then the Lord wants
men who will be martyrs to purify the
business. But it is not true. Multitudes
of our most successful business men are
Christian men who would sooner cut off
a right hand than deal disonorably.
The merchant who has gained a repu-
tation for strict honest upright conduct
is on the highway to success. These
objections from all classes of people
why they cannot live a Christian life are
mere excuses, which will be swept
away, like spiders webs, before an
earnest purpose.
3rd. The call is to men because the
gospel is especially adapted to them
A mans conscience is mighty engine
for the right. The spot of blood on
hand made him a coward.
Many murderer under the sting of
has confessed his deed.
This conscience in man approves the
right. 1t tells him that God ought to be
loved and obeyed. 1t tells him that the
of the Bible is the most perfect
for fol hnt hr 10
yield to the claims and promises of
Christ and engage in his service. The
gospel is adapted to mans intellect. 1t
presents the sublimest themes for con-
Those who have studied
longest and thought deepest, recognize
most how exhaustless is the field. These
things not only test but dignity and en-
noble the intellect as witness such minds
as Woolsey and Hopkins and McCosh.
To that extent to which a man gives
attention to these themes will his mind
be elevated. No subject will SO inspire
the mind and fill it with enthusiasm and
Joy, as these which concern the being
and will of God. These are things
which angels desire to look into, they
are worthy of the intellect of man.
The gospel is adapted to mems hearts
with the heart man believeth into
Christianity purifies
and enobles the affections, "God is love"
and the service of God develops disin-
terested love in us. overcomes selfishness
and makes us wish to live.
"For the God who reigneth ore us,
For the race of men before us,
And the good that we can do
4th. The call is to men because they
are especially needed in the service Of
the Lord. Society needs Christian men
to purify and elevate it. We are living
in an age when selfishness is painfully
in the wrongs which afflict
communities. Instead of politicians, we
need patriots who will labor not for self,
but for the country's good, who, like
Henry Clay ''would rather be right than
be President" who would be true to
their conviction rather than receive a
house full of silver and gold. The bust
ness world needs Christian men to
purify its standards of action; whose
chief thought will not be, how can |
make the most money, but how can l
do the most good.
We have some such men among us
we ought to prize them, they are the
salt of the community, but 0 what an
influence for good if the mass of our
business men were active Christians.
How public sentiment would be elevated
how vice would be overcome, how
virtue would prevail. The Christian
Church needs men to comend the reli-
gion of Christ to others.
When the officers sent to apprehend
Jesus returned saying, "Never man
spake like this man." the chief Priests
asked, ''Have any of the Rulers or of
the Pharisees believed on him? SO [
think it often is now with the young
when urged to a Christian life, they look
to the prominent business men, and ask
have these believed on him. Men,
whose consciences are right, whose in
tellects are right, having consecrated
yourselves heartily to the service of
Christ, the Christian Church needs you
as an example in the right place, unto
others. The church needs you to help
in extending the Kingdom of God in
the earth. We are Gods instruments
for the conversion of the world. How
soon Christ's cause will be triumphant
depends upon our faithfulness in labor.
Every man is needed to help on this
work. Every day the cause of Christ is
gaining strength. The great Army OF
the Lord is marching on to victory
wonderful revivals are reported on every